Less Math, English In Elmhurst Middle Schools: District Proposal

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 is considering a middle school curriculum that would include less classroom time for math and English language arts.

Under a proposal, students would spend 55 minutes daily each in math and English next school year, down from 75 minutes.

At the same time, students would take science and social studies classes all year long, with each course lasting 55 minutes. Now they take each class for one semester.

Electives, which have been 40 minutes each, would stay the same.

The proposal was presented at Tuesday's school board meeting.

"I'm very happy to see an increased emphasis on science and social studies, but the proposal reduced the time spent on math and English language arts by about 25 percent," board member Jim Collins said. "How do you compensate for reduced time to make sure that doesn't result in reduced learning?"

Associate Superintendent Scott Grens said officials wrestled with the reduction in math and English time.

But he said the schools' elective offerings will be significant.

"It was a difficult balancing act to go through," he said.

Until six years ago, the school's math and English classes were about 45 minutes long, officials said.

Board President Athena Arvanitis said the district planned to broaden students' curricular experiences.

"I see the reduction as a risk and maybe impacting student learning," she said. "But 55 minutes was more than what we had prior. Other districts are doing it without a negative impact on student learning."

The board is expected to vote on the proposal in February.